Ankylosing spondylitis - a lot of patience is required

  Ankylosing spondylitis (ankylosing spondylitis) - is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine and joints at which the fusion (ankylosis) intervertebral joints that substantially limits movement, reduces flexibility and impairs posture. In severe cases of ankylosing spondylitis person can not lift his head high enough to look forward.
  Ankylosing spondylitis affects men more often than women. Signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis usually occur in adulthood. Inflammation can also occur in other parts of the body, such as in the intestine. Specific treatment of ankylosing spondylitis does not exist, but therapy can help reduce pain and eliminate some of the symptoms.

The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

Early signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis - pain and stiffness in the lumbar spine and hips, especially in the morning and after a long period of inactivity. These symptoms can develop gradually, so they notice when the disease has moved to the next stage. Over time, symptoms can deteriorate partly or completely disappear and reappear.

Most often, ankylosing spondylitis affects the following areas:

• the joint between the base of the spine and pelvis;
• vertebrae of the lumbar spine;
• site of attachment of tendons and ligaments to bone, primarily of the spine, but sometimes at the back of the heel;
• cartilage between the sternum and the ribs;
• hip and shoulder joints.

When you need to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you have chronic pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips, and with a deep breath, there is pain in the chest Chest pain is one symptom - a lot of diseases . Seek immediate medical attention if there was a pain in the eyes, photophobia and visually impaired.

Causes of ankylosing spondylitis

The main cause of ankylosing spondylitis - aggressiveness immunity Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults   against their own tissue of joints and ligaments (inappropriate immune response) caused by a genetic predisposition in carriers of a particular antigen (HLA-B 27). In this case, the immune system The immune system - how it works?   misinterprets some of the body's tissues as foreign, which is the cause of aggression.

As the progression of ankylosing spondylitis inflammation and deterioration of the formation of new bone - so the body tries to heal. This new bone gradually takes the distance between the bones, which eventually leads to fusion of the vertebrae. Finger vertebrae lose their flexibility and become rigid (fixed). Fusion of the vertebrae may also restrict the movement of the chest, which negatively affects the lungs.

Risk factors

• Paul. Men are more likely to develop ankylosing spondylitis than women.
• Age. The disease starts to develop in late adolescence or early adulthood.
• Heredity. Most people suffering from ankylosing spondylitis, are carriers of the antigen HLA-B27, but its presence does not necessarily mean the development of ankylosing spondylitis.

Complications of ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is not developed for a particular scenario. The severity of the disease and the likelihood of complications are strictly individual. The most common complications of ankylosing spondylitis include:

• inflammation of the eye (uveitis). Uveitis - an inflammatory disease of the choroid - can cause severe pain in the eyes, sensitivity to light and blurred vision. Consult your doctor if you notice these symptoms at home.
• compression fractures. In the early stages of ankylosing spondylitis in some people going thinning of bone tissue. Weakened thin vertebrae may crumble, which only exacerbates the stoop Stoop - strengthens the muscles of the right . Vertebral fractures can sometimes cause damage to the spinal cord and spinal nerves.
• shortness of breath (dyspnea). If ankylosing spondylitis affects the ribs, fused bones can not move when you breathe, making it difficult to complete deployment of lung volume and, consequently, violates the breath.
• problems with heart. Ankylosing spondylitis disrupts the function of the aorta, the largest artery of the body. Inflamed aorta may increase to an extent which would distort the shape of the aortic valve in the heart, leading to disruption of its operation.

Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis

Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis usually occurs late, if the symptoms are mild or attributed to other common diseases of the spine.

Imaging studies

• X-ray examination. X-rays reveals changes in the joints and bones, although the characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis appear only in the later stages of the disease.
• Computed tomography (CT). Computed tomography combines X-rays of joints and bones, taken from different angles, a single image of the internal structures in cross section. CT provides more detailed information on the state of the spine.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI utilizes radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce images of soft tissue, particularly cartilage. However, due to the limited amount of equipment for MRI, ankylosing spondylitis rarely detected in elementary form and is usually found in the developed state of the second stage.

Laboratory research

There are no specific laboratory tests for the detection of ankylosing spondylitis. Certain blood tests can detect the presence of signs of inflammation (ESR parameter), but that inflammation may be caused by a variety of other diseases. If you suspect a ankylosing spondylitis conducted a study on the presence of the HLA B27, as it suggests the presence of a genetic predisposition to ankylosing spondylitis. This antigen is usually diagnosed in 80-90% of patients.